Sen. Landrieu issues statement

WASHINGTON - United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., issued the following statement from the Hurricane Command Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

"I would like to commend both Governor Blanco and all of the local leaders who have done a tremendous job helping the people of Louisiana prepare for Hurricane Katrina. Unfortunately, the reverberations of this storm will be felt not only in Louisiana but across the nation.

"Our port system provides the nation with the transportation needs for our country's economy while our coastline provides the energy for our homes and industries. And Louisiana's unique wetlands provide our state with a buffer zone from natural disasters such as hurricanes. But our wetlands have been eroding. As I have said before, in order for us to protect America's energy supply and transportation needs, the federal government must join with the people of Louisiana to preserve America's wetlands.

"But as we have not weathered all of Katrina yet, we ask the American people to keep us in their thoughts and prayers at this time."